ASUS ROG X370 Crosshair VI Extreme Review

Introduction and Technical Specifications

The ASUS Crosshair has been a mainstay of the AMD Motherboards since the original model was launched on the AM2 socket. If you ever wonder how far technology and motherboard aesthetics have come in the intervening years then you need to go back and look at the Crosshair 1 with its white and blue plastics backed up by the shiniest copper this side of a new penny.

We recently looked at the Crosshair VI Hero, a motherboard based around the X370 chipset that is the backbone of the AMD Zen architecture, and we found it to be an outstanding performer, regularly topping our benchmark graphs. If some is good and more is better then the Crosshair VI Extreme, equipped with pretty much everything, should be heading to the top of many peoples wishlists. Of course we need to test it first to find out if it redefines what the Ryzen CPUs are capable of, but first let's discover what treats are in store should you purchase the Extreme.

Technical Specifications

Since the Maximus ASUS IO sections have been blended exceptionally well into the PCB and the Crosshair VI Extreme takes this to new heights, with the IO section forming part of the heatsink. This also has the benefit of having the shield pre-mounted so you're not stuck pressing sharp aluminium into the back of your case and bleeding profusely over the insides. The X370 chipset is equipped with masses of features by default and has really brought AMD bang up to date. Even so ASUS have managed to decorate the Crosshair VI Extreme with enough extra features to make it worthy of the name. We have the SafeSlot armour on the PCI Express 3.0 slots, ASUS SupremeFX S1220 audio which comes with LED audio jacks for ease of plugging into without needing a torch. Additionally the 'always popular with reviewers' onboard power and reset buttons as well as a clear CMOS button and the invaluable BIOS Flashback.

People who enjoy connectivity are well catered for too. The rear of the Crosshair VI Extreme has loads of USB ports and if they aren't enough to sate your peripheral needs then there are front panel options everywhere, including the latest USB 3.1 Gen2. Add to this a horizontal ATX 24pin connector and ASUS AURA RGB lighting and there are a lot of boxes ticked.

Most Recent Comments

Nice review Tom. This one really is proper enthusiast board with all the sweet thingys on it.

I am actually not a fan of horizontal 24-pin socket. Because when it is horizontal you get a massive peace of black plastics (24-pin + cable), and your cables go 3cm straight into the grommet. With classical (vertical) one you get to use cable combs, and make that nice curve with cables, and show them off. Let's face it... what is the point on blowing serious money on custom cables when you get to show 3cm of them, and instead you get 10x10cm block of plastic instead?Quote

Nice review Tom. This one really is proper enthusiast board with all the sweet thingys on it.

I am actually not a fan of horizontal 24-pin socket. Because when it is horizontal you get a massive peace of black plastics (24-pin + cable), and your cables go 3cm straight into the grommet. With classical (vertical) one you get to use cable combs, and make that nice curve with cables, and show them off. Let's face it... what is the point on blowing serious money on custom cables when you get to show 3cm of them, and instead you get 10x10cm block of plastic instead?

Do you know how long I've waited for someone other than EVGA to do a 45 degree 24 pin! I love it and wish it was on all boards or at least a 45 degree adapter for those of us who don't want to see cables this is epic, I'm now waiting for the day all IOs around the edge of Motherboards are angled.Quote

Do you know how long I've waited for someone other than EVGA to do a 45 degree 24 pin! I love it and wish it was on all boards or at least a 45 degree adapter for those of us who don't want to see cables this is epic, I'm now waiting for the day all IOs around the edge of Motherboards are angled.

Every other connection angled yes, that is epic, but for me, 24-pin and 8-pin no. And please someone put power cables on GPUs on the side.Quote

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